Home Improvement Blogs – Okotoks

It’s no secret that winter can do a lot of damage to everything it touches—just look at the potholes that form in roads thanks to the constant cycle of freezing and thawing. While potholes aren’t an issue inside homes, winter can still cause a lot of damage to them. Before winter arrives or before you put a home up for a fast sale, homeowners can take steps to winterize their homes so they’re better prepared for the cold weather. Here are some easy ways homeowners can help protect their homes during the harsh winter months.

1.  Insulate Pipes to Prevent Cracking

In extremely cold temperatures, it’s possible for even metal pipes to break, and that can spell disaster for a home. To help prevent pipes from breaking in the cold weather, homeowners

Lighting affects the way people feel and function in their home. Without proper lighting, a home can look dark, unclean and smaller than it really is. Good lighting can boost a person's mood, make them more productive and can even make the home look more spacious.

Homeowners who have just purchased new homes often overlook lighting when they're decorating or making home improvements. Failure to take lighting into account can negatively impact the homeowner's experience of the space.

Living Room and Family Room

A combination of natural lighting and artificial lighting makes the living room and family rooms a pleasant place to spend time at all hours of the day. Large picture windows are common in living rooms and when fully utilized, these

Mold is a problem that can occur in homes when moisture becomes a problem. Selling a home with a mould problem can almost be impossible, or until the mold is remediated. Understanding the cause of mold and what you can do about this problem can help you take care of your home. Below are the basics of mold problems and how they affect homeowners.

What Are the Health Risks of Mold?

Mold can have different effects on health depending on the severity of the mold and the sensitivities . Many people experience breathing problems because of mold, some experience chronic congestion or a cough. Other signs of mold exposure include:

• Trouble remembering things, problems focusing
• Muscle cramps
• Eye sensitivity
• Exhaustion
• Night sweats

There is a need to take on additional responsibilities when one goes from renting to owning a home, such as performing routine maintenance or making repairs on a home. Individuals who are handy often save money on labor costs when choosing to go the DIY route.

First time homeowners may want to pick up these tools to help them perform basic tasks in and around the home.

A Light-duty Wheelbarrow

For outdoor jobs and gardening around the home, purchasing a wheelbarrow can help prevent back strain and make the hauling process more efficient. Use a wheelbarrow to carry mulch, crushed stone or heavy tools to a desired location with minimal fuss. Look for a wheelbarrow with a raised lip for added security.

A Pair of Safety Glasses

When it

In a country like Canada, it may seem as though there's not enough sun to justify the cost of installing solar panels. However, homeowners may be surprised to learn that the technology behind solar panels has improved enough to benefit more areas than just the sunnier Southern climates. Understanding the benefits of solar panels begins with assessing both the financial and environmental impact of investing in green energy.

Initial Costs

The amount a homeowner spends on their solar panels depends on the square footage of the roof, the architectural layout of the home, and the vendor they choose. All in all, it can cost anywhere from $15,000 – $30,000 to install. And while this may seem steep, Canada has been proactive about their commitment to

Sometimes when a homeowner wants to make improvements to their property, they must first get a permit. Usually, permits are required for work that could put people at risk if it's done incorrectly. Frequently, a permit is required to make electrical, plumbing or structural changes to a home.

Work that is done without a permit can become a problem when the time comes to sell the house. Here's what homeowners need to know.

Why Are Permits Important?

Permits ensure that there is oversight on certain home upgrades. Permits typically require that an inspection must be performed before the job can be completed. The inspector checks to ensure that the job is performed properly and according to local codes. Without this inspection, upgrades and

When it comes to protecting a home from the elements, a roof needs to be able to stand up to anything weather can throw at it. However, sometimes that isn’t possible and the roof will be damaged while trying to do its job. All homeowners should be able to identify damage to their roofs, but it can be difficult to actually spot damage without knowing what to look for in advance. Here are some of the different types of damage all Westmount homeowners should be able to identify.

1. Shingles Are Missing

The most obvious type of damage when it comes to roofs is when shingles are missing. This can happen due to extreme winds, but if the roof is still new, it can also mean that the shingles weren’t properly installed by the roofer. If a homeowner

There's no need for homeowners to choose been functionality, form and comfort concerning today's home flooring options. Not only are modern flooring trends leaning towards innovation, but they are more functional and easy to maintain than in previous years. Popular home floors often have the look of materials that they truly aren't, such as wood, stone and ceramics, which has expanded the options tremendously regardless of one's lifestyle. Here are some trending flooring options.

Liven Up Rooms with Laminate Flooring

Low-maintenance laminate flooring is one of the hottest and most affordable home improvement options amid homes today. It's available in countless colours, patterns, and can closely resemble materials such as natural wood and

Outdoor living spaces are one of the many hot new trends in home construction. These unique, fun outdoor structures add value to the home and improve quality of life for members of the household. Homeowners who would like to install an outdoor living space in their backyard must decide which features will make their space most functional and enjoyable.

Shelter

Every outdoor living space needs overhead shelter of some kind. A good shelter will provide shade on hot afternoons, so members of the household can sit outside even when it's very warm. Some homeowners want to spend time outside even when it rains. For these homeowners, the shelter must also provide water protection. Shelter can take many forms. A pergola with a vine growing on it will

Most homeowners want their home to be as efficient as possible, but it's not always clear what the best path is to get to that destination. After all, even the most energy-conscious individual isn't likely to spend $15,000 for solar panels if they're planning to move out in six months. To really understand how to get the most out of the energy projects a homeowner takes on, they need to learn more about the actual state of their home as well as the average returns for each project.

Insulating the Home

Homeowners who want to make their home more efficient typically can't go wrong with upgrading the insulation. This step isn't as simple as it sounds, but the effort is minimal compared to the nearly guaranteed returns of over 100%. Most experts